Lulu

That’s good to know Jean although we rarely have cash on us and my diet would have been completely ruined!

Tuesday 11th April What a difference a day makes (in her best singing voice) The plan for today was to go back up the Ant and meet Kate who was moored at Irstead. No one had moored behind her so we kept in communication every now and then to make sure there was space. I bottled out helming under Ludham Bridge. The wind was still a bit gusty and sure enough, a sudden gust caught us a bit at the entrance to the bridge but all was fine after a quick adjustment. The weather was beautiful. Back to the sunshine and blue skies. Saw a couple of kingfishers . One day I will get a decent photo. I texted Kate as we approached the corner to Irstead and we moored up on the parish staithe behind Springer’s Retreat. Kate had kindly invited us for lunch and our plan was to go back to the marina afterwards but the day was so glorious. The BA moorings became free so we moved over to those and decided to stay for the night, despite the wind warnings later that evening. We were so tired from the night before but decided it would probably be quieter than the marina. Decision made. Kate and I took the dogs for a short walk. It was the first time Desmond was walking on roads since his injury and he was still feeling a bit uncomfortable. We got back and Graham realised we hadnt got anything for dinner so he yomped to Neatishead for supplies while Kate and I gossiped in the well deck. I just love the outside space of the Horizon. The new kitchen is really smart and we spent a lot of time looking at flooring samples. I think Kate had enough flooring samples to cover the floor without buying anything to be honest! Finlay very kindly gave up his spot on the sofa to Desmond and the dogs snoozed away obviously not interested in our conversation. We had a lovely lunch (loved those salad leaves from your allotment Kate). A little later we waved Kate and Finlay off and settled down for the rest of the day. Graham had picked up breaded lemon sole and scampi from the shop for dinner and very nice it was too. Sure enough the wind once again arrived but not nearly as bad as the night before so had a pretty peaceful night.

Monday 10th April I’d had a great nights sleep. The wind must have picked up a bit during the night and Luna gently rocked. Very soothing, unlike what was to come later. The weather forecast said rain and possible thunderstorms and a big drop in temperature. I admit, we are becoming more fair weather boaters nowadays and we really don’t like helming in the rain so we decided on a very short cruise back to Acle and get moored up for the rest of the day. There was a space by Dunes so nabbed it and hooked up to the electric. Then the rain showers started and the wind really picked up by late afternoon and the river really choppy. We saw a few cruisers struggling to moor on Pedros side in the wind. I managed to get out for a short walk in between the showers. The moorings filled up very early. I think everyone had the same idea. We turned in at about 10pm then woke up at 1.30am to the boat really rolling about and the noise of the wind. Luna is quite a lump and it takes a lot to rock her about. It was that bad that I started feeling a bit seasick! Desmond wasnt happy and I was trying to keep him calm while Graham went outside to adjust the fenders and ropes. We usually get them pretty much spot on but they had been pushed out of the way and were doing nothing. We didn’t really sleep the rest of the night. I wished we had gone up the Ant for more shelter. Lesson learned! Not many photos as the weather was rubbish.

Wow, that’s an amazing photo. They are usually so skittish

Sunday 9th April - a perfect day so not selling We awoke to a most beautiful blue sky. It looked like this was going to be the best weather day of our break. The temperature overnight looked good too so didn’t need to look for electric. I was determined we would go to my favourite mooring, so to allow for hopefully any occupants to have left, we set off for Boundary Farm at about 9.30. An absolutely beautiful cruise. I usually helm but decided I wanted to sit on the bow and take some video and photos from there. The boat is so quiet when outside on the bow. I just love listening to the water against the hull. Just before Acle there’s a lovely little cottage on the right near a mill. I’ve decided I want to live there. We got to Boundary Farm and there was only one other boat there but soon that one left and we were on our own. I took Desmond for a longer walk back towards Acle. Because it was all soft grass, Desmond’s foot wasn’t bothering him. Late morning, we spied the stunning boat that is Papaver. Doug and Hele came over and rafted beside us and we had a good old chinwag in the sunshine. Hope you are feeling better now Hele and thank you again for the CD Doug. There was a constant stream of boats going by us all afternoon which I do enjoy watching but the downside is the excessive speed from some of them causing a lot of wash. I remember last year a ranger moored up behind us telling people to slow down. I still love that mooring though. The lovely walks and peace when its evening is just perfect. That evening Graham cooked a yummy dinner of lamb steaks. We were totally off grid and it had been a fantastic day. After our expensive boat issues last year, worrying about it all the time and other stuff going on, I felt I was losing interest at one point and I was all for selling the boat much to Graham’s dismay. I had even contacted Mark to ask if it was ok to post an advert to sell Luna on the forum it had got that bad in my head but it was days like we had at Boundary Farm and later on that made me realise its not what I wanted to do much to Graham’s relief. We know Luna isnt our forever boat as we are going to need something a bit bigger for grandchildren to get the Broads bug but for the time being she’s still part of our family.

Ahhh my favourite mooring. What about reproducing and enlarging one of your photos for the boat Kate?

We don’t feed them but assume other’s do! It was the first time we moored there we thought we were coming in against the tide but obviously werent. A confusing bit of water at times.

Saturday 8th April I sort of woke up during the night to what I was convinced was Graham’s phone going off. Four boom noises. I thought his work must have forgotten he wasn’t on call. I drifted off again, boom boom boom boom. Then light dawned literally. I realised it was the wonderful sound of the bittern. I remembered from last year How Hill was where I had first heard them. So good to know they were still about. We decided to set off early before everyone else to get under Ludham Bridge and away from chaos. We waved at Broad Ambition as the crew went by. Purdey very much supervising proceedings. Ludham Bridge was full bar the taped off section. We passed Springer’s Retreat at LBBY ready and waiting for Kpnut to pick up later that day. St Benets was full. Our two options for mooring was Acle or Stokesby. Acle was quite full. There was a Luna size spot but it looked a bit tight. We could see people beginning to prepare to set off so we decided to carry on to Stokesby and if that was full we would go back to Acle with the likelihood of more spaces available . We had to dodge a lot of reed debris (which I call porcupines) and bits of wood. As we turned the corner at Stokesby we saw the BA moorings were empty so that was an easy decision. Having been caught out once with the weird tidal movement, we were extra cautious but had no problems at all. The biggest issue I was going to have was to avoid the cakes. I’m a few pounds off losing a stone and was determined not to give in so Graham went to the shop to get some essentials instead. Why I had to ask him what sort of cakes there were I don’t know but I resisted caving in. Another very short walk around the green with Desmond. I really wanted to go on the lovely walk by the river towards Acle but at this point Desmond still couldn’t walk comfortably on tarmac. We had a lazy day watching lots of boats and ‘porcupines’ passing by and visitors arrived later tapping on the window. A lovely restful day. Just what was needed.

Friday 7th April We usually avoid going to the boat at Easter knowing it is likely to be very busy but Graham really needed a break from work so after him nipping to work for a few hours we set off for Norfolk at 10.30am. It usually takes 1 hr 20 but it took us 2 1/2 hours. The traffic as we predicted was dire. We had Norfolk Radio on listening out for traffic reports. Wroxham came up as long delays so we carried on on the NDR and went to Stalham via Coltishall instead. On arrival the plan (Graham’s plan) was to get a pump out then back to the marina to do some maintenance and go out the following day. We had a pump out at Simpsons using our freebie from the loyalty scheme and I could have bet a million pounds that Graham would say lets just go out now. As we approached the dyke to our new mooring, sure enough, we just carried on. ‘Were you surprised?’, he asked. ‘Not at all, you do this every time!” We had a lovely cruise deciding on ‘Luna’s Nook’ at How Hill. It was free so that was the first choice of our holiday achieved. I took Desmond straight off for a short walk on the field. He had an injury after picking up some glass in his pad. £160 vet bill and we were armed with antibiotics and painkillers and the fact he doesn’t move around on the boat much, hoped this holiday would aid the healing. Desmond was riveted by a couple flying a kite in the field. I don’t think he could work out what it was at all. It was lovely to see Toad Cottage’s little garden looking so neat and tidy. I only realises after they were leaving that the Catcouk crew had been moored up in front of us. The problem with Richos new thing of only having the name on the stern. During the afternoon into the evening a steady stream of boats came down the Ant. The season had properly started. Lovely sunset. Shame about the camera light in the shot below.

You’ve described exactly how I remember boating hols with my brother and parents back in the olden days. I remember the big orange lifejackets had a distinct smell. I’d be woken to the sound of the decks being mopped by dad. The essential items dad brought with him was black tape and a wire coat hanger which he said could fix anything and seem to remember they did. Happy times 🙂

Can she resist the cakes ….

Think the biggest issue was that horrendous coconut oil, butternut squash meal creation you had

When I’ve reached my weight loss goal, I may just cave in as a reward 😁

Having been on Kate’s ‘bathtub’ yesterday, it was a lot of nostalgia and fond memories sitting in the well deck in the sun. I don’t think Ive been on one since I was a kid. Love the layout and space, especially the outdoor space. I can see why my parents hired Bermudas and Caribbeans all those years ago.

Oh I’ve tried to halve them and eek them out over a few sittings. Didnt work. Share? No way!

It was nice that we had no condensation to get rid of for a change this morning when we went back to the marina but yes, a bit chilly. If you go to Stokesby, will you be able to resist a cake like I just managed to do. That was a tough day!

I loved the light section!

Finlay has been an absolute star and therapist to Desmond. Desmond lost all confidence with other dogs of his size and above since he was attacked but Finlay has really helped him. I’m chuffed to bits and very grateful for his patience

We thoroughly enjoyed our morning with you. Another particularly lovely day to add to the memory bank and Desmond sends his thanks to Finlay for his kind acceptance in allowing him on his part of the sofa x

Congratulations!

Warm welcome to the forum :)

Just realised after you left How Hill earlier that we were moored infront of you. Such a shame as we would have come over to see you all. This is the problem with the new livery, you can only make out the name once someone has gone by!

Fantastic write up. The photo of your boy on the well deck in his life jacket looking at the swan just took me back to my childhood in the 1970’s at that age at Salhouse. The scene has hardly changed at all except we used to moor bow first tied to a tree in the olden days

Definitely. Dad very close by to take over in a nano second. Happy memories 🙂

So is there a ranger assisting people to moor or are they just directing people on where to pay? I still dont get how you can assist stern on mooring. By the time you are at a range to take the ropes, you are already basically in and have the time to get off and do it yourself. Im curious as we only stern on moor in our marina as we dont like sardine situations. All these years and its never been needed before. Has there been a health and safety incident thats triggered the need for this. Sorry if these questions have already been answered somewhere else.